Section 1. All motions to withdraw as counsel must be presented to the judge for review and signature.

Section 2. Prior to the mailing or serving of a notice by the Court for the purpose of assigning the case for hearing or trial, any attorney may, by ex parte order, be permitted to withdraw his/her representation of a party litigant.

Section 3. Following the mailing or serving of such hearing or trial notice, an attorney may withdraw his/her representation of a party litigant only upon contradictory motion and hearing and for good cause shown. All opposing counsel, unrepresented parties, and the party whom the attorney represents shall be served with a copy of the motion and order to show cause why mover should not be permitted to withdraw. The Court shall not grant the motion if doing so would necessitate the delaying or reassignment of the case for trial.

Section 4. An attorney seeking to withdraw by ex parte order shall give notice of same to all counsel of record and shall certify in his motion that the client has been advised of his withdrawal and that the other provisions of this rule in reference to notice to other parties have been complied with, that there is no pending trial or hearing that will be delayed because of the withdrawal of counsel, and shall provide an address where the client may be served directly with future notices. In all cases of withdrawal, the attorney shall advise the party he was previously representing, by certified mail, that he is no longer counsel to him and shall further advise him of the status of the case on the Court's docket. Evidence of such notification shall be filed in the record of the pending procedure.

Section 5. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to prevent the substitution of counsel for a litigant at any time prior to commencement of hearing or trial, provided that the motion to substitute is signed by both the withdrawing attorney and the one to be enrolled.